The Beautiful Adventure on La Isla de Encanta Past Review
By Angela D (Spanish Language and Communicative Sciences and Disorders, Saint Mary's College, Indiana) - abroad from 05/30/2015 to 06/23/2015 with
SSA Education Abroad: San Juan - Semester, Year or Summer in Puerto Rico
I learned that we have to appreciate everything we have in life. I also learned that we need to respect and admire other people's decisions and thoughts on life in general. It's very worthwhile!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Being integrated fully with Puerto Ricans in class was very challenging, but just made me a better speaker in the long run. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Gloria, who is our study abroad coordinator, is phenomenal and such a sweet woman. The residence office was awesome and as accommodating as they could be. The international office and the director of the international students is incredible |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Loved my Puerto Rican roommate. I spoke Spanish to her and she spoke English to me. We got along just fine. The room was very comfortable and did the job. |
| * Food: |
The food at Sagrado is great. They have typical food of the island and your regular food you'd find elsewhere. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The Puerto Ricans were welcoming and willing to help when they could. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
The area surrounding the school is a bit dangerous, but the whole campus is gated and filled with security guards. You also have to check in when you enter and leave the campus. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I only say no because I want to travel to other places to see the world as well! But as far as the program goes, I have no regrets about going here. I had an amazing month on this island and enjoyed the highs and lows I endured during my time there. |
Finances
|
* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
For the most part, things aren't too expensive here, unless you fall for the tourist trap places and buy souvenirs there. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $195 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy your groceries at Wal-Mart, walk or take the bus if possible. The ferry is cheap to get to the other islands. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
You had to sign a contract stating that you promised to speak the language always unless a situation occurred where you couldn't. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I was taking courses that were being taught in Spanish. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Before you go, brush up on some of the grammar. Learn the lingo of the country. Introduce yourself to their culture before going so you don't look like an ignorant American. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | N/A |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Development of a Puerto Rican Nation |
| Course Department: | History |
| Instructor: | Nester Hernández |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | The class was challenging, but Professor Hernández enjoyed having the students from the States in his class. He was very passionate about the subject he taught. He made class at 7AM not as miserable as it could have been. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
